Rick Neuheisel’s debut as UCLA’s head coach will come two days later than originally scheduled, but in front of a national cable audience.

UCLA changed its schedule and now will open the season on Labor Day, Sept. 1, against Tennessee at the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is 5 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to begin my coaching career at UCLA than by playing one of the top programs in the nation on Labor Day evening,” Neuheisel said. “It makes the schedule even tougher, because we are now playing an outstanding Fresno State team in between two conference opponents, but I know our players will rise to the challenge.”

To accommodate the schedule change, UCLA moved its game against Fresno State to Sept. 27 at the Rose Bowl. The game was supposed to be the season opener Aug. 30.